Summer is here and now we finally have the weather to match, the outdoors suddenly takes on a whole new purpose. Whatever space you have in your garden, the makeover options are endless these days.
When it came to transforming a concrete grot spot in my garden I was spoilt for choice at Dunelm, which currently has an 'up to half price' sale on outdoor furniture. The space had previously been taken up by a metal shed, which we decided to shimmy along so it was no longer our main view from the back of the house.
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With outdoor rugs now all the rage, we first decided to cover up the tired concrete slabs with Dunelm's Jazz Traditional rug, costing £109. At 5ft by 7ft it was big enough to cover the majority of the space and comes in a variety of colours - amber, rose, silver, blue or grey.
It's hand washable, which is handy when you've got children and a dog running around and unlike the pooch, it doesn't shed, so could just as well be used inside too. For seating we were won over by the reviews on the Montreal Set of 2 Deluxe Gravity Loungers, costing £95 for both. With cushioned headrests they're perfect for relaxing in and one even has its own cup holder.
While that may have been something we'd ordinarily be fighting over, the installation of the Printed Hammock with Stand soon put pay to that. I say installation, it really only took a few minutes to assemble, with not a tool in sight.
Not quite sure why I was thinking the hammock and chairs could fit into my little tranquil space as the hammock is much larger than expected, but both are light enough to move around so we can easily swap them about.
The size isn't a bad thing mind, and with it being reduced from £159 to £109, you're certainly getting plenty of swinging space for your money. It's sturdy too, at one point both children, the other half and our giant Labrador piled on together - not something I'd recommend, but it didn't seem to struggle.
As for the backdrop of my little oasis I transformed it with the addition of Dunelm's rattan effect outdoor wall shelf, which while out of stock online, is still available in some stores.
Filled with some small plant pots, starting from £4, along with some fake but realistic looking plants, like this Artificial String of Pearls in a Cement Pot, £7, it's not only easy maintenance but also adds something rather unique to an otherwise boring fence. For the finishing touch I added Dunelm's Element's Rope Black Solar String Lights, £16, which match perfectly with the shelf, while adding a cosy glow as dusk falls.
I think Labrador Milo thinks it's all been done for his benefit. He's already shaping up to be the biggest hammock hogger of the lot.
Read more of today's shopping stories here
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